I didn’t go to my dream school. Now I’m living debt-free.
Lots of good, practical information in that column from a smart and practical young woman.
I lived at home the first 2 years and went to a local public college, then transferred to another public university in my state (in-state tuition discount) for the last 2 years. I paid 100% of my own tuition, fees, books, etc and graduated without debt. I worked since age 10 and saved a minimum of 50% of my earnings for future college expenses (my parents required I save at least 50% – I usually saved more). In my mid-teens I moved on from neighborhood lawn jobs to working in a retail store, and later, working in a hospital, and then as a college computer consultant and then summer jobs in industry. I also worked up to 18 hours / week while in college.
It is not easy, but it is possible.
